“Yeah,” I nodded. “None of my previous boyfriends were ever that thoughtful.”
“Well, no wonder they couldn’t hold on to you,” he said as he held out his hand for me.
We walked to the car together, and Jake held the door open for me. He was such a gentleman that sometimes I couldn’t believe my luck.
“How’s Noah?” I asked.
Jake smiled. “You saw him this morning.”
“But I still miss him,” I said.
“You’ll see him tomorrow,” he reminded me.
I nodded. “I have a new recipe I want to try out with him,” I said. “I think he’ll love it.”
“If you suggest it, he’ll love it,” Jake said. “That boy worships the ground you walk on.”
As he said it, Jake reached out for my hand and held it the whole way to the office. When we got to the office parking lot, it was almost nine o’clock, and it seemed like the party was in full swing.
“Won’t people wonder why we’ve come together?” I asked, realizing that this was the first time we were going to be in a social setting with the office crowd, including the board of directors.
“Of course, they will,” Jake said, as we got out of the car. “But it’ll soon become clear to them.”
“What will?” I asked nervously.
“That we’re together,” he said, slipping his hand into mine just before we hit the entrance to the lobby.
“You don’t mind everyone knowing?”
“I want everyone to know,” Jake said. “I love you, and you love me, and that’s something we shouldn’t have to hide.”
I smiled, feeling a wave of excitement overcome me. I squeezed his hand, and we went up in the elevators to the highest floor where the party was being held. We walked into a crowded room and instantly, I felt everyone’s eyes on both of us. Jake was completely unfazed, however. He looked like he was in his element as he smiled and waved at people. I was more nervous than he was, but his boldness gave me courage.
We had been at the party only fifteen minutes when Jake leaned in and whispered in my ear. “I can see the board across the room. Will you excuse me for a little bit?”
“Of course,” I nodded.
The moment Jake had left my side, I found myself surrounded by people who wanted the details of my relationship. Martin, Adelaide, and Tiffany came up to me instantly.
“You and the boss?”
“You and Jake Middleton!”
“Oh my God!”
“Can’t believe it!”
“You are so lucky; he’s gorgeous!”
“And rich.”
“And, he looks like he’d be great in bed, too.”
“You and Jake Middleton!”
“I always suspected.”
“Me too.”